| 01/07/08 - "Open Houses" for Alaska Teamsters The Alaska Club is sponsoring “Open Houses” for Alaska Teamsters on a quarterly basis in which Alaska Teamsters can tour the facilities at any one of the health club locations in addition to receiving special membership offers during that time. For January 2008 the Open Houses are scheduled for the following dates:
January 13 – January 19, 2008
Anchorage, Eagle River & Palmer/Wasilla
January 20 – January 26, 2008
Fairbanks
January 27 – February 2, 2008
Juneau
Between the period of October 4, 2007 and October 4, 2008, as a member of the Teamsters Local 959, you are invited to go into any of The Alaska Club locations – Anchorage, Eagle River, Wasilla and Palmer, as well as Fairbanks and Juneau – and receive free enrollment. For further details, please contact The Alaska Club nearest you.
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| 11/08/07 - Tax Time Is Just Around The Corner Retirees, please be sure your mailing address is correct with the Trust Customer Service Office. If you have resided in more than one state during 2007 and due to state income tax regulations, you will receive a 1099R tax statement for each state representing the income you received while residing there. The individual states will be provided the information as well.
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| 11/16/07 - A & I Insight Newsletter (November 2007 Edition) In This Issue
- The Hidden Factor
of Increasing
Prescription
Benefit Plan Cost
-
In Memoriam to
A&I Co-founder
James Bybee
Nibley
-
Wellness
Resources
-
MediWeb On-Line
Tool
-
New Proposed
Cafeteria Plan
Regulations
- ...and more!
Click here to view full article. | |
| 11/07/07 - Get Healthy - Get Fit Between the period of October 4, 2007 and October 4, 2008, as member of the Alaska Teamsters, you’re invited to go into any of The Alaska Club locations – Anchorage, including Eagle River, Wasilla and Palmer, as well as Fairbanks and Juneau and receive free enrollment.
Click here for the full article. | |
| 10/12/07 - Upcoming 2007 Teamsters’ Health Fairs Please watch your mail boxes for the Health Fair notice containing specific details. If you have any questions, please contact the Trust Customer Service Office at (907) 565-8300 or (800) 478-4450. Thank you.
ALASKA TEAMSTERS’ FAIRBANKS HEALTH FAIR
Date: Saturday, October 6, 2007
Location: Pioneer Park Civic Center-Exhibition Hall
2300 Airport Rd Fairbanks, AK
Time: 8:00 am – 12:00 noon
ALASKA TEAMSTERS’ ANCHORAGE HEALTH FAIR
Date: Saturday, October 13, 2007
Location: Alaska Regional Hospital
2810 DeBarr Road Anchorage, AK
Time: 8:00 am – 12:00 noon | |
| 05/11/07 - New Welfare Trust SPD in the Mail The new Summary Plan Description (SPD) for the Welfare Trust has been printed and is available for download in PDF version.
Click here to view PDF version. | |
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| 04/16/07 - Alaska Teamster Retirees’ 25th Anniversary Reunion
June 16 thru 19 | |
| 04/11/07 - New Pension SPD in the Mail The new Summary Plan Description (SPD) for the Pension Plan has been printed and is in the mail. You can also view or download the PDF version online. Participants who have opted in to the electronic communications program will have received an electronic notice of the new document. If you want to sign up for convenient electronic communications and help the Trust save on printing and postage costs, please use this page to begin the process. | |
| 03/20/07 - Electronic Billing Available for Medical, Hospital & Dental Claims In an effort to streamline claims processing, and reduce claims payment turn-around times, the Plan’s third party administrator A&I Benefit Plan Administrators, Inc. can now receive claims electronically. Click here to view full article.
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| 02/21/07 - January 2007 The Alaska Teamster-Employer Pension Trust’s Annual Benefit Statements (ABS) for Plan Year ending June 30, 2006 were mailed on December 4, 2006. In the event you do not receive your ABS in the mail by mid-February, please contact the Trust Customer Service Office at (907) 565-8300 or (800) 478-4450 (toll free). | |
| 02/14/07 - A & I Insight (January 2007 Edition) In This Issue
- New DOL Website
- Vendor Highlight - Innovative Care Management
- HSA Changes Signed by President Bush
- Community Involvement
- Drug Store Rules to Change in 2009
- Employee Update
- A&I Vendors & Business Associates
- MediWeb Online Demo Now Available
- 2006 Employees of the Year
Click here to view full article.
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| 01/25/07 - Anchorage - Retirement Planning Seminar - Presented by: Mike Morrison & Brad Gamblin
Certified Financial Advisors
Date: Thursday, February 1, 2007
Location: Teamsters Local 959 –
Anchorage Dispatch Hall
Time: 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Please join us! Spouses are welcome.
Learn more about planning for your retirement.
Refreshments will be served.
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| 01/25/07 - Fairbanks - Retirement Planning Seminar - Presented by: Brian Lick
Certified Financial Advisor
Date: Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Location: Teamsters Local 959 –
Fairbanks Dispatch Hall
Time: 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Please join us! Spouses are welcome.
Learn more on planning for your retirement.
Refreshments will be served.
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| 12/14/06 - Retirement Planning Seminar
Presented by: Brian Lick, Certified Financial Advisor
Date: THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2007
Time: 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Location:
TEAMSTER UNION HALL
ANCHORGE DISPATCH OFFICE
520 E. 34th Avenue
Anchorage, Alaska
Please come join us! Spouses are welcome to attend!
Learn how you may effectively plan for your retirement today!
Refreshments will be provided.
Alaska Teamster-Employer Pension Trust
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| 11/06/06 - Electronic Communication Service Launched! The Trustees are happy to announce that they have added a new service that can make your receipt of Plan communications more convenient and save the Plans money at the same time. Starting this week, the Plan will be rolling out a new option that enables you to receive electronic notices from the Plan, instead of paper. This voluntary program uses your email and the Plan's website to get you all the information you need. Read the complete information about the program here. | |
| 11/01/06 - New Preferred Medical Provider Effective November 1, 2006, you have a new source of Preferred Providers for your medical benefits. The new provider is called Beech Street. Please check back soon for complete details on how to use the new Preferred Provider network (PPO).
Click here for the full article. | |
| 09/01/06 - Welcome to the Alaska Teamster-Employer Pension Trust’s new website access site: https://959trusts.mypenpay.com. This new website allows retirees the convenience of going online to make changes to your mailing address, banking information, tax withholdings as well as the ability to view up to 18 months of your pension payment history. Please watch your mailbox for additional details on how you can enroll. Check it out today! | |
| 07/10/06 - A & I Insight Newsletter (July 2006 Edition) In This Issue
- Plan Incentives for Healthy Behavior
- Bona Fide Wellness Program Requirements
- Did You Know?
- Subrogation - Supreme Court Rules on Sereboff Case
- Employee Update
- Vendors and Business Associates
- Calendar of Events
Click here to view full article. | |
| 07/10/06 - CHANGES TO THE BENEFIT ACCRUAL RATE Effective July 1, 2006 (the
beginning of Plan Year
2007) the Alaska Teamster-
Employer Pension Plan
benefit accrual rate will be
lowered (going forward
only) from 1.25% to 1%.
Click here to view full article. | |
| 06/06/06 - NOTICE TO PARTICIPANTS This notice contains information on the discontinuation of annual certification letters, and updated information regarding the Annual Retiree Reunion. Click here to view the PDF version of this article. | |
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| 04/17/06 - SUSPENDIBLE EMPLOYMENT EXCEPTIONS From May 1, 2006 through October 31, 2006, the Union is allowed to fill jobs with retirees but only when the jobs cannot be filled with qualified, active Teamster members. Retirees who are dispatched by the Union and who qualify for the exception to the Suspendible Employment rules will be permitted to work 40 or more hours a month without their retirement benefit being suspended. Certain limitations apply. For more information, please contact Pension Customer Service if you have questions. | |
| 04/17/06 - NOTICE TO PLAN PARTICIPANTS – ACTIVE & RETIRED
Are you interested in participating in periodic Roundtable (Q&A)
Discussions regarding your Teamster Benefit Plans?
Click here for the full article. | |
| 01/20/06 - January 2006 The Alaska Teamster-Employer Pension Trust’s Annual Benefit Statements (ABS) for Plan Year ending June 30, 2005 are expected to be in the mail by the end of January 2006. In the event you do not receive your ABS in the mail by mid-February, please contact the Trust Customer Service Office at (907) 565-8300 or (800) 478-4450 (toll free). | |
| 01/03/06 - IMPORTANT NOTICE For automatic direct deposits, the payment of the monthly pension benefits is the 1st of each month. However, when the 1st falls on a weekend or holiday, expect the direct deposit to be in your account on the next business day.Click here for the full article. | |
| 10/28/05 - Individual claim information and benefit plan contributions now on-line. A & I Benefit Plan Administrators, has launched a new service whereby you can view your eligibility status, claims information, Explanation of Benefits (EOBs), and benefit plan contributions on-line. This new feature shows you information almost as soon as your claim is processed. Of course, for the protection of your privacy, all your personal information is stored behind commercial-strength firewalls and is encrypted while being transmitted over the Internet.Click here for the full article. | |
| 10/05/05 - TO: Alaska Teamster-Employer Welfare Trust If you wish to remain on the Teamster’s Prescription Drug program, DO NOT ENROLL IN MEDICARE PART-D...Click here for the full article. | |
| 05/24/05 - New Third Party Administrator Selected The Board of Trustees and the Employer Service Corporation are continually looking to improve service to you, our members. After an extensive search and much review, the Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that A&I Benefit Plan Administrators has been selected as the new claims payer and administrator for the Health and Pension Trusts effective September 1st. A&I prides itself on providing personal, responsive, quality service and was the best fit for working with the Employer Service Corporation to administer the Plans. | |
| 02/28/05 - ATTENTION TEAMSTERS! Planning your financial future is important.
Want to learn some tips? There is help available.
Click here to view the PDF version of this article. | |
| 02/28/05 - IMPORTANT REMINDER NOTICE February 2005
Non-Network Prescription Drug Claims No Longer Covered
Effective November 1, 2004, non-network prescription claims will not be reimbursed unless the member lives in an area where there is no network pharmacy.Click here for the full article. | |
| 12/22/04 - New 2005 Express Scripts Formulary The new formulary for Express Scripts is now available. Click here to
view the PDF version of this list. | |
| 12/22/04 - New 2005 COBRA and Retiree Rates The new rates for COBRA and Retiree Self-Payment have been published.
Click here to view the PDF version of these rates.
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| 12/16/04 - Alaska Teamster-Employer Health & Welfare Plan
EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2005, THE COMPANY YOU CALL WHEN YOU NEED TO PRECERTIFY AN INPATIENT HOSPITAL STAY OR AN OUTPATIENT PROCEDURE HAS BEEN CHANGED.
Qualis Health, a Northwest based company, has been engaged to provide these services. Qualis Health will determine medical necessity, length of hospital stay and provide case management for serious, critical and catastrophic cases. To precertify an inpatient hospital stay or an outpatient procedure, please call Qualis Health at 1-800-783-8606.
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| 12/03/04 - Express Scripts Update Recently Express Scripts launched several enhancements to their web
site www.express-scripts.com in order to increase value to our members.
Members should now be able to view and print annual statements through
the Prescription History feature of the member portal...Click here for the full article. | |
| 10/18/04 - IMPORTANT NOTICE: The flu shots will not be available for the upcoming
Anchorage (Nov 4) General Membership meeting due
to the shortage of the flu vaccination...
Click here for the full article. | |
| 06/15/04 - Drug Protocol Management: Step Therapy Did you know that 75% of new drugs introduced to the marketplace each year are no more effective than the drugs already available which these new drugs duplicate? However, these new drugs, because of the cost of advertising, are much more expensive. We refer to the drugs which have been on the market as "step-one" drugs and those new to the marketplace as "step-two" drugs.
Click here for the brochure. | |
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| 11/18/03 - Timely Questions and Answers about Health Fund Costs
- How is the Plan funded?
- How long can the Plan spend more than it receives?
- What can I do to reduce health care costs?
Answers to these questions and more are found in the 2002 Summary Annual Report.
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| 08/16/03 - Alaska Regional Hospital Mammogram Screenings 8/16/2003 - Alaska Regional Hospital
Mammogram Screenings
5 time slots are still available! To schedule an appointment for a mammogram, please call 264-1244.
To check to see how much of your 2003 Preventative Benefit you have used, please call the Welfare Trust office at (907) 565-8300.
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| 05/17/03 - Anchorage Health Fair Please join us at Alaska Regional Hospital, our new preferred provider, for the Alaska Teamsters' Health Fair on Saturday, May 17, 2003 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Be good to yourself and your family! By using your available preventative health benefits, health issues can be diagnosed early and treated! Please watch for a separate notice, coming soon in the mail, with more details about the Alaska Teamsters' Health Fair.
Click here for the full article. | |
| 05/12/03 - Important Notice of Benefit Change Important Notice: Due to the ongoing bear market for the investments of the Pension Plan, the trustees have made a significant change to future pension accrual rates effect July 1, 2003. Click here to view the full announcement. | |
| 04/15/03 - New Preferred Provider We are pleased to announce Alaska Regional Hospital as our new preferred hospital for Anchorage participants and participants who travel to Anchorage for care. The Alaska Teamster-Employer Welfare Trust has entered into a contract with Alaska Regional Hospital in Anchorage, to provide facility services to participants at preferred rates, which reduce a participant's out-of-pocket expenses and reduce the overall cost to the Plan. This agreement replaces the previous agreement with Providence Hospital. The Preferred Provider Program applies to hospital emergency room, inpatient services, outpatient services, maternity care and surgical services. The Plan's preferred providers include Alaska Regional Hospital and Chugach Physical Therapy.
Click here for the full article. | |
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| 01/01/03 - Teamster Veterans TEAMSTER VETERANS
In 1996, Congress passed the Veterans' Health Care eligibility Reform Act, which entitles all enrolled veterans a health benefits plan. It also simplified the way veterans receive benefits. To enroll, stop by your nearest VA health care facility or veterans' benefits office. You will need a copy of your DD-214 Form and your latest tax return.
The level of benefits varies depending on your income and whether you have any service connected disability. If you enroll and receive benefits through a Veterans' health care facility, the Alaska Teamster-Employer Welfare Plan will coordinate benefits (i.e., we will refund expenses not paid by the Veterans' health care plan, subject to the terms of the Teamster plan). Retirees with a high out-of-pocket deductible and numerous pharmaceutical drugs might benefit greatly by enrolling in the Veterans' health care plan. Please call 1-877-222-VETS for more information.
Click here for the full article. | |
| 01/01/03 - Canadian Drug Reimbursement CANADIAN DRUG REIMBURSEMENT
In responding to the continued interest from active members and retirees regarding a prescription drug program using a mail order Canadian pharmacy, we have been searching for ways to reduce costs for our members through such a program. We now know that it is not legal for the Plan to participate in a pharmacy program, importing prescription drugs from foreign countries. Our legal counsel informs us that, while the Federal Drug Administration does not enforce the laws prohibiting importation by individual consumers, mass importation by insurers or providers may not get the same favorable treatment. However, the Plan has always reimbursed part of the cost of prescriptions, regardless where are obtained. As a participant, if you obtain prescription drugs from Canada or other foreign countries, the Alaska Teamster-Employer Welfare Plan will reimburse 50% of those charges, as a non-network claim.
Click here for the full article. | |
| 01/01/03 - Chronic Conditions = Increased Health Care Costs Almost half of Americans' suffer from chronic conditions such as diabetes, elevated cholesterol and high blood pressure. 60% of the nation's medical expenses are caused by chronic conditions. In addition, a recent study revealed that patients with chronic conditions account for...Click here for the full article. | |
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| 06/30/01 - Section 415 Relief Section 415 Relief
Alaska Teamsters got some well-deserved
relief from invasive pension laws when
President Bush signed the recent tax bill,
effective January 1, 2002. The 100% of pay
limit, which restricted the maximum pension
benefit to the member's three highest years of
earnings, was eliminated. The limits on pension
benefits, based on age at retirement,
have been increased. Once regulations are
published, additional information will be provided
to the membership.
Alaska Teamster-Employer Pension Trust
Chairman Jerry Hood worked closely with
the Alaska delegation to keep this legislation
alive and moving. A special thanks to our
Alaska delegation, Senators Stevens and
Murkowski and Representative Young, for
guiding this legislation through Congress.
The Teamster's website will have the most
current information available and the next
newsletter will have additional information. If
you have more questions, please call your
Plan Administrator, Rose Kalamarides, at
907-565-8310.Click here for the full article. | |
| 06/25/01 - Pension Improvements Announced Pension Improvements Announced
The Trustees of the Alaska Teamster-
Employer Pension Trust met recently to
review the status of the Plan. During the
meeting, the Board of Trustees adopted
the following pension plan improvements:
3% Bonus Accrual Rate
– The ongoing benefit accrual rate
for the Plan is 2.5% of contributions.
However, contributions from
July 1, 2000, to June 30, 2002, are
being credited at the bonus rate of
3%. A Year of Vesting Service is Now 250
hours
– If you work 250 hours, you now
earn one year of vesting service
(before if took 1,000 hours), and
you can still earn additional credit
in a year by working more than
2,000 hours. Recapture of Forfeited Service
– For those participants who left the
plan for a period before they vested,
and lost those years, can now
recapture the hours and contributions
they had lost. Retirees Receive Bonus
– Retirees received a bonus check in
the month of May 2001. Full details regarding these improvements
will be mailed to all pension participants
in the very near future.Click here for the full article. | |
| 07/01/01 - Trust Report
TRUST REPORT
The Trustees of the Alaska Teamster-Employer Welfare Trust recently
met and adopted some improvements to the Plan. Among the
changes are:
Click here for the full article. | |
Current news... |
